Chapter 7

It was Sunday morning, and Ginny sat in a pew near the back of St. Dunstan’s Church. Della sat to her right and Lucy sat to her left. Ginny had chosen this spot so she would have a better view of the people who made up the congregation.

Even though she’d attended church here for years, this Sunday it seemed as if she’d entered a different chapel altogether. Perhaps that was because today she had a goal in mind. Today she intended to study and evaluate the two men Will had mentioned as possible suspects in Lizzy de Wolfe’s murder: Wesley Fletcher and Rodney Baker.

She shifted her gaze from one side of the church to the other. Rodney Baker had already arrived. He sat in the same pew as Lizzy de Wolfe’s sisters, next to the oldest de Wolfe sister, Catherine. A wave of unease washed over her. What if Rodney Baker was responsible for Lizzy’s death? What if his focus had turned to another de Wolfe sister?

Ginny studied Rodney Baker. Although he wasn’t handsome in the way Inspector William de Wolfe was handsome, there was something pleasing about his features. His hair was a rich brown that swept fastidiously back from his face.

He sat in the pew with his back straight and his shoulders rigid. He wore an air of confidence that caused the females to notice him. There were always several females vying for his attention after a church service, and Ginny wondered how he’d managed to remain single this long. Or why. She knew he was responsible for two younger sisters who were unmarried, as well as his mother who was rumored to suffer from poor health, so perhaps that was the reason he hadn’t started a family of his own. Or, it could be that he’d truly loved Lizzy de Wolfe and it had taken him this long to get over losing her.

Ginny considered that possibility as she watched several new parishioners enter. The church was filling rapidly. Most of the faces who walked past her were familiar, but they weren’t who Ginny was watching for. She was waiting in particular for Reverend Fletcher’s son, Wesley, to appear.

There was no need for him to arrive early since the front pew of the church had always been reserved for Reverend Fletcher and his family. Wesley Fletcher had sat in the same spot in the front pew for as long as Ginny could remember. The pew was empty except for Ralphy Weston.

Ginny didn’t know how Ralphy was connected to Reverend Fletcher, or if he even was. One theory was that Reverend Fletcher had found Ralphy on the streets and had taken him into his home. Another theory was that Ralphy was the son of a distant relative and when that relative died, Ralphy was left in the reverend’s care. Whatever the circumstance, Ralphy had been a fixture in the Fletcher household for as long as most of them could remember.

Not only was Ralphy loved by everyone in the congregation, but he made himself useful by taking care of the grounds around St. Dunstan’s church and the graveyard. There was nothing Ralphy couldn’t grow or make bloom, nor was there a lost or injured animal or bird he didn’t care for. He had a collection of animals too numerous to count. But no one had the heart to suggest he reduce the number of pets he’d accumulated.

Although Ralphy was estimated to be three or four years older than Reverend Fletcher’s only son, Wesley, and although the two had been raised as brothers, that was where any similarity ended. Ralphy was what everyone in the congregation called simple. His thought process was slow. But because Ralphy was gentle and kind, no one in Reverend Fletcher’s congregation minded. Everyone loved him.

Ginny’s attention was pulled away from where Ralphy sat when the door opened and someone entered. The person was a lone gentleman and at first Ginny thought it might be Wesley Fletcher, but one look at the man’s towering height and broad shoulders, and Ginny realized she was mistaken. The man entering the church was William de Wolfe.

Ginny’s heart shifted in her breast and a warmth she was now used to feeling whenever she saw him seemed to lift her out of her serious contemplation. He was without a doubt the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and he affected her like no one else ever had.

He walked with purpose as he strode down the aisle and stopped beside the pew where his de Wolfe cousins sat. After the initial looks of surprise, the three de Wolfe sisters made room for their cousin to sit beside them. The inspector nodded his greeting, then sat with regal stiffness as the organ music filled the church and the congregation waited for the service to begin.

Shortly before the knolling of the church bell, Wesley Fletcher entered the church. He walked to his appointed pew and sat.

Ginny took a moment to study him. Even though she’d seen him nearly every Sunday when she attended church, this was the first time she really paid attention to his features.

He was a handsome man, but not in the same way Rodney Baker or William de Wolfe were. Where they bordered on the dark side, with hooded features and bronzed complexions, Wesley Fletcher’s features were almost angelic.

The sun shone through the stained-glass windows and bathed him in sunlight. His hair took on a golden shimmer that was almost divine. Ginny was surprised by the innocence in his features. She couldn’t imagine him capable of committing a crime as heinous as what had happened to Lizzy de Wolfe. But hadn’t Lizzy warned her that the killer was not what he seemed?

Ginny’s gaze shifted from Rodney Baker to Wesley Fletcher, and finally to William de Wolfe. The three men were totally different from one another. As Ginny studied them, she tried to imagine either Rodney Baker or Wesley Fletcher becoming angry enough to kill Lizzy de Wolfe. Had Lizzy refused an offer of marriage from one of them? Had the rejected suitor then become so angry that he’d killed her?

Ginny wondered if the inspector was considering the same thing. She looked to the place where William de Wolfe sat next to his cousins and her heart stuttered. The inspector was looking at her.

Their gazes locked and held.

An understanding passed between them that caused a warmth to spread throughout her body. Although she didn’t know when it had happened, or how, or why, Ginny felt a connection to him that made her feel safe. And wanted.

The organ music came to an abrupt end and Ginny and the inspector were forced to focus their attention to the front of the church. Reverend Fletcher had stepped to the center of the chancel to greet his congregation. Not until the organist struck the chords of the first hymn was Ginny able to focus on Reverend Josiah Fletcher.

He was a father figure to her, benevolence seeming to radiate from his face. Kindness infused his words and she felt her heart opening to his message. It took a few moments for Ginny to realize if her exercise today was to be thorough, she had to apply her observation to the Reverend, as well.

Today was the first time she’d ever compared his features to those of his son. Ginny had never seen Reverend Fletcher’s wife, as she’d passed away before Ginny and her family first attended services at St. Dunstan’s. But Wesley Fletcher must have received his blond hair and angelic blue eyes from his mother, because he didn’t resemble his father in the least, except perhaps in his height and the sharp angle of his nose. Otherwise, there were very few similarities that Ginny could see.

The most notable difference was in their eyes. Where Reverend Fletcher’s dark eyes seemed warm and friendly, Wesley Fletcher’s held an uneasy coldness. Perhaps that chilly demeanor went deeper than just the frost in his eyes.

Before Ginny realized that an hour had passed, the organist struck the chords of the final hymn. Reverend Fletcher gave the benediction and the organist played a robust postlude while the parishioners filed out of church.

Since Ginny was seated toward the back, it gave her the perfect opportunity to observe the members as they exited the church, especially Wesley Fletcher and Rodney Baker… and William de Wolfe.

The inspector left with his relatives, and as he came up the aisle, his gaze caught hers. There was a warmth in his hazel eyes that caused her heart to flutter as it swelled within her breast. That warmth remained even after he’d walked past her and exited the church.

Ginny lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap. It had happened without her even knowing, this feeling of fondness for William de Wolfe. She couldn’t say she’d fallen in love with him, but she couldn’t say that the emotion she harbored for him was far from turning into something much stronger. No one had ever affected her as he did.

The church emptied pew by pew, and finally it came time for the pew Ginny and her sisters sat in to join the procession.

The line leading from the church moved slowly. Reverend Fletcher was a man beloved by his congregation, and everyone stopped to say a few words to him. Finally, Ginny made her way to the door and stepped out into the sunlight.

“Good morning, ladies.” Reverend Fletcher greeted Ginny and her sisters with a friendly smile. “As always, looking upon your faces from the pulpit brings me the greatest joy.”

The Wattersfield sisters returned his greeting as he shook their hands.

“Your sermon was very inspiring,” Della said. “The parable you preached this morning is one of my favorites. I always appreciate hearing the parables explained.”

Ginny separated herself from Della. She knew from experience that when Reverend Fletcher received a compliment, he always prolonged the conversation. Lucy must have felt the same, for when Ginny stepped away from Reverend Fletcher, Lucy did, too.

“Good morning, Miss Wattersfield.”

Ginny turned and her heart momentarily misremembered its rhythm when she found herself face to face with William de Wolfe. “Good morning, Inspector. I was surprised to see you here this morning.”

“Were you? After our conversation the other day, this was the most logical place for me to be. Besides, I could hardly pass up the opportunity to come where I knew I’d find you.”

The sincerity Ginny heard in William’s voice caused her cheeks to warm. She knew they must have turned red. Before she could find words to answer him, they were interrupted.

“Inspector de Wolfe. It’s a pleasure to have you worship with us this morning. It’s been far too long.”

Ginny turned to find Reverend Fletcher behind her. She’d always considered him a handsome man. Even though his hair was quite gray, his features didn’t show signs of aging. There was a humorous glint in his eyes which she’d always felt indicated his enjoyment of life.

Ginny scanned the area around her and noticed several middle-aged widows watching him, most likely wondering why he hadn’t taken another wife after the late Mrs. Fletcher died. It wasn’t that he lacked for willing candidates.

“I thought the same, Reverend,” William answered. “And I’m very glad I came. It allowed me to see my de Wolfe cousins, as well as affording me the pleasure of seeing Miss Wattersfield again.”

“I wasn’t aware that you were acquainted,” the reverend said.

“Yes, we’ve recently come to find we enjoy one another quite a lot.”

Reverend Fletcher gave Ginny and William a smiling nod of approval. “How wonderful. I’m glad to hear you haven’t come on a matter as serious as the last time we met.”

“No, no. Although I still hold out hope that I will discover who was responsible for Lizzy’s death and bring them to justice.”

“As do I. Such a tragedy. Have you discovered anything new that would allow you to reopen the case?”

“I’m sorry, Reverend, but I’m not at liberty to say at the moment. Sometimes a new development springs from the most unlikely place.”

“That sounds very promising, Inspector. I wish you the best of luck then. If anyone can find your cousin’s killer, it will be you.” Reverend Fletcher turned his attention to Ginny. “You know, the inspector’s reputation is legendary. He is one of the most famous investigators on the force.”

“Hardly famous,” William answered. “But I thank you for the compliment. And I must compliment you, as well. I enjoyed your sermon this morning. Your message of how precious life is was especially relevant concerning my line of work.”

“Then I’m glad you were here to hear it.” Reverend Fletcher looked around as if searching for someone. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to greet more of my flock before they depart for home.”

Ginny watched Reverend Fletcher greet several other parishioners, then step to where his son stood talking with Della and Lucy. The moment he interrupted their conversation, Wesley excused himself and left.

Ginny couldn’t help but notice the hostile look on Wesley Fletcher’s face when he saw his father. It was obvious there was something contentious between them, something Reverend Fletcher was trying to heal but his son was unwilling to do.

“Did you want Reverend Fletcher to know you might possibly have discovered some new information in Lizzy’s case?” she asked the inspector.

Will looped her hand through his arm and led her away from the people leaving church so they couldn’t be overheard. “Yes. Only because it’s probable that he will tell his son.”

Ginny continued walking at Will’s side as they left the churchyard. “By the abruptness with which Wesley Fletcher walked away when his father approached him, it doesn’t seem as if that might happen.”

They strolled on until they reached a small park area where they stopped in a shaded area. Will leaned against a tree trunk and looked off toward the churchyard. “What do you think of the relationship between Reverend Fletcher and his son?”

Ginny considered Will’s question for a moment. “They don’t appear to be on the best of terms,” she answered, turning to watch Wesley Fletcher leave the churchyard.

“No, they certainly don’t. I wonder what the cause of the rift is.”

“Perhaps it’s nothing more than a family disagreement.”

“Perhaps,” Will answered, then looped her arm through his and walked with her to the side of the church, then beyond to the graveyard.

Ginny didn’t say anything when she realized their destination. She simply kept pace with him, enjoying the tranquility of the grounds on a Sunday morning. She was surprised when Will didn’t lead her through the gate that led to the graves, but instead followed the path that skirted the burial plots.

“Where are we going?”

Will didn’t answer, but held his finger to his lips to silence her.

When they reached a spot where they had a clear view of Lizzy’s grave, he stopped.

Wesley Fletcher was there. His shoulders were slumped and his head bowed. Ginny thought perhaps he was weeping, but couldn’t tell for sure.

But one thing she could tell.

Wesley Fletcher knelt on bended knees.